Horse farm owner charged with ill treatment to animals

Tuesday

Following a three-month investigation into animal cruelty, an Edgefield County man was arrested Saturday after authorities executed a search warrant at High View Horse Farm in Trenton S.C.

Stephen Zukowski, 55, was charged with one misdemeanor count of ill treatment to animals after deputies seized seven horses located on Zukowski's farm, according to an Edgefield County report.

Deputies are still searching for approximately 70 horses owned by Zukowski.

"Of the seven horses that were brought to me, some were in good shape and others were in not so good shape," says Terry Figueroa, who works for Arabian Rescue Mission. "I wouldn't say any were in an immediate threat of dying, but if the conditions had remained the same it may have eventually reached that point."

The seven seized horses were taken to Figueroa at a rented farm off Airport Road in Trenton.

"We're trying to get them all healthy," Figueroa said. "The younger adults seem to all be fine, but it's the older horses I'm concerned about."

Zukowski's farm is located on the 500 block of Vann Road in Trenton.

The investigation into Zukowski began in January, while the search warrant was executed at approximately 10 a.m. Saturday morning, officials say.

Edgefield County Sheriff's Office investigators were not available for comment.

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